Every Dark Souls 3 player can agree

Depends on your playstyle.

But yes, he's the first real difficulty spike. Like the difficulty spike that affects everyone, not just beginners. I can waltz through the game up to him every time, but then depending on the character style I'm playing, he can be a total crapshoot whether I beat him or not.

But based on the relative area difficulties, you're not even supposed to fight him until you've beaten Yhorm.

http://cdn-webimages.wimages.net/053a2336ecb8128ceb158dea7c80db2290e21b-v5-wm.jpg?v=0

(it's a meme. pls boards over lords don't ban me pleasu :(()